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Colt Pocket Positive Serial Number 55523
(ca. 1912) - .32 Police caliber with 3 1/2" barrel and
factory nickel finish with what appears to be gold wash and
flush medallion mother of pearl grips. This revolver
belonged to Harry Bennett.
Harry Bennett (1892-1979) was head of
Ford’s Service Department, or internal security. He ruled
the Rouge Plant, and some say Henry Ford himself, through
threats and intimidation, arguably becoming more influential
than Edsel Ford, Henry’s son and the company’s President
from 1919 to 1943. He first worked in Ford’s art department
in 1917, but his “tough guy” manner got him appointed head
watchman, and eventually he supervised over 3000 reputed
crooks and retired policemen in the Service Department. “The
Battle of the Overpass,” Ford’s 1937 response to attempts at
unionization, was led by Bennett. Ford fought unionization
until 1941. While rumor had it that Ford wanted Bennett to
replace him as president, that job went to Henry Ford II,
who fired Bennett in 1945.
Source:
http://www.autolife.umd.umich.edu/Design/Gartman/D_Casestudy/Harry_Bennett.htm
Images From the Collections of The Henry Ford. 1) P.833.71965
Harry Bennett (left) with Henry Ford
(center) and John Corlisle (right) at Camp Legion in
Dearborn, MI, June 19, 1939.
Marked on top of barrel:COLT'S PT. F. A.
MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.
PAT'D AUG. 5, 1884 JUNE 5, 1900 JULY 4, 1905.
Left side view of Pocket Positive 55523.
Left side of barrel marked:
| P |
ocket. |
32 COLT CTG. |
| ositive. |
Close-up view of serial number 55523 on frame. The
letter "C" is to the right of the serial number.
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